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  8/21/01 Gail Rudder Kent <Silvermates@aol.com> New Jersey Breathtaking and brilliant. I could not help but think of Milan Kundera's "Unbearable Lightness of Being," the scene in which the doctor puts his dog to sleep, a metaphor for the ending suicide car crash. It brought back a recent article in the New Yorker about Kafka and Prague. It made me cry...smile...want to have a dog again (our last of many over the years died a few years ago). It made me call half a dozen PBS stations and finally find this site online to order a copy for myself and another on hold to give to a deserved loved one, who would understand and appreciate the depth in its beautiful simplicity. I wish it could be shown in movie theaters as a short (like in the old days). I will share it and send this site on to friends. Above all, thank you Paul Fierlinger, I hope your life is beautiful and that you are able to take joy in the bearable lightness of being. 8/20/01 Martin Lauzé After growing up with cats by my side and being generally being a " catpeople ", I was reluctant to let a dog into my apartment but did so to fulfill my girlfriend's longtime desire. And we each passing day, I live to love and appreciate my 8 months old energetic golden retriever Leika. In fact, I've learned to appreciate dogs in a way I never thought possible. So much so, after switching channels desperatly for something intersted to watch so late at night, I was compelled to stop and watch Still Life With Animated Dogs. I've was deeply moved and heartbroken by it especially when Ike was put to " sleep ". I shed a few tears thinking how hard it must've been for Paul to sever a bond so deep and grounded in unconditional love and complicity. The movie made me realize how dogs are now invariably part of my life, perhaps even much more than cats ever did despite my numerous years of cat loving. Thank you Paul for giving me an even deeper insight at the benefits and joys of owning a dog. I am happy you've finally found new life, love and inspiration in a new country. Thank you for sharing your stories with us. 8/20/01 Hal Did you know that when you were setting an air date of this work thatyou'd find me returning from work with my trusted friend? I thought your presentation was dramatic, thoughtful, and wonderful to watch. Did you know? You made Shasta and I realize that, all in all, we're just a couple of emotional friends! Here's to Pepper and Happy and Boz and Lucky, and Rosie. Your wag just came via e-mail!...Hal 8/20/01 Paul I really enjoyed Still Life with Animated Dogs and the style in which itwas drawn. I am a beginning cartoonist myself and have had some very modest success with it. I have never attempted animation, but your work has made me extremely interested in trying. I'd like to find out more about it was done(drawing/painting tools) and how the actual animation process works. I also was intrigued by the perspective you gave of Czechoslovakia during the period of Soviet domination. I lived a few years in Lithuania (after independence) and had the opportunity to hear about life under the communist thumb there...It's always interesting to hear about it from people who have actually lived through it. Anyway, very inspiring work. thanks 8/20/01 JIM W Paul & Sandra; Thank you so much for this piece. Art is where you find it, and Grace is when it finds you.To be able to describe your life through the eyes of your dogs lookingback at you, is just beyond compare. To judge the quality of a man, is in how he treats his animals.I have known many people, they do come and go.The four legged friends will stay in my heart much longer, their love iswithout condition. My joy is that you are able to tell this story, free from the tyranny ofthe oppression that you once knew. To document the time that you spent in that world in such a way isexquisite and not to be missed. My heart goes out to you for all those who were left behind.I wish much joy to you and yours for the future.My best to you. Jim 8/20/01 Al Dawson Dear Paul, Thank you , thank you , thank you! I have always had a dog in my life until about twelve years ago when my best friend (a boxer) passed away. I told myself then that I would not have another dog because I was too busy and did not have time to care for it. After watching SLWAD I realized that having a dog is not only about taking care of it, it's also about it taking care of me. I have decided to visit my local animal shelter to adopt a dog who can adopt me. Thanks again, Al Dawson Indianapolis, IN 8/17/01 The nice colors and natural animation blended beautifully with both thestory and that quiet, gentle voice. What a touching project. It made mewant to be more with living things. 8/17/01 Paul & Sandra Fierlinger <fala@home.com> Hi and many thanks to all of you well-wishers. These letters have becometremendous encouragement for Sandra and myself into further works.Animation requires much effort and time so we weigh carefully every ideafor the next film, keeping the need of viewers foremost in our minds.After Still Life we wrote a proposal for another ITVS film about thedemerits of hero-worshipping and the value of humility, loosely based onthe true story of Joshua Slocum - the first man to ever circumnavigate theglobe by sail alone. ITVS' panel of pre-selectors turned down thisproposal. We just submitted a new proposal, a collection of true storiesof loneliness and how various people have dealt with it. One of ITVS'mandates is to bring new viewers to PBS and your letters, especially thosewritten in the middle of the night are proof that we are doing just that. With much gratitude - Paul and Sandra Fierlinger 8/15/01 A. Oredsen I watched Paul's film last night on PBS, and I was impressed and touched. I too have had pets that have taught and inspired me. Congratulations to Fierlanger for this remarkable piece of work. 8/15/01 Man Ray Just about everyday, I walk through a park across from my city apartment and see people with their dogs. Everyday, I wish I was that person with a dog. Today in fact, I saw two dogs that looked much like Spinnaker romping in the grass. Moving out on my own a few months ago, I left behind some of my best friends, my four dogs. I realized just how much I miss having dogs as a part of my life after watching the program. It was such a wonderful reminder of how lucky some of us are to have dogs in our lives. 8/15/01 We were so sad Ike could not join in your freedom and we were so happy Spinnaker is well. Thank you for sharing your life and your dogs. 8/15/01 Dr. S. Athan I awoke this morning at 3:30 unable to sleep. I poured a glass of red wine and turned on the PBS station. At 4:30 I was still awake and was treated to perhaps one of the best animated stories I have ever seen. Coupled with the dark stillness outside and inside, Still Life With Animated Dogs drew me in with a soothing power that I am still unable to define. Paul has a very special and precious gift. I could have watched for hours. Time to share the story with my children. Thank you Paul. 8/14/01 Linda Still Life with Animated Dogs was totally refreshing and thought provoking. I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed it. Having two dogs myself, named Teddy Bear and Panda Bear, it was easy to relate. Unfortunately, I also have just seen a stray dog hit by a car right in front of me, so that part of the film really hit home. Please people, keep a close eye on your dogs! 8/14/01 Edward A. Stika, M.D. Dear Paul:Last night I watched your film on PBS and was extremely impressed and happy that I did not miss it. Our daughter Carren Stika, a clinical pychologist for hearing impaired children has a beautiful Golden Retriever which accompanies her to work each day. She is also hearing impaired. Does this film come with captions which would allow her to enjoy it even more? I plan to send her a copy. Also I must admit some prejudice, I understand Czech and I enjoyed some of the background comments.Thanks again for a very enjoyable evening and continue your great work. Sincerely, Ed Stika STILL LIFE WITH ANIMATED DOGS is available closed captioned from Transit Media, phone 800-343-5540 , FAX: 201-652-1973. 8/14/01 Dr. Barbara Surfed last night right into PBS's showing of P. Fierlanger's animated film, which impressed me with its simplicity, depth, and freshness...my l3-yr old Mini-Schnauzer, MARGIE, lost her eyesight five months ago..and her lessons for me are daily....Paul's love comes through clearly...I watched to the end and will search the PBS schedule for the next showing...AND am clueing my niece into this artist as she continues her vet. training at the U of Ill. They also will value knowing of this work. Thanks and many blessings. |
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